Rahane's technique earns Wadekar praise

Amid the many innovations seeping into a batsman's game, former India captain Ajit Wadekar has praised India and Rajasthan Royals batsman Ajinkya Rahane for sticking to the coaching manual.

"In IPL, it is very difficult to see a technically correct batsman," Wadekar told PTI. "But, the only person who comes to mind is Ajinkya Rahane. He knows how to play T20 cricket. He has a good defence and also the temperament to go with his talent. He has many years to go in international cricket"

But cricket is calling for increased skill and even that coaching manual might require updating feels fellow former India Test player Madhav Apte. "Technique in the present day has to be re-defined. A lot of it is improvisation. Whether the bat is coming from behind or straight is not relevant," he said. "Obviously, technique is important but it is like a clown in a circus. He may do all the foolish acts but he still gives a sound performance."

Narine backed to beat scrutiny on action

Kolkata Knight Riders back Sunil Narine to pass a second bowling action retest in three weeks. He was reported during the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 22 and was rushed to Sri Ramachandra Arthroscopy and Sports Science Centre in Chennai for another assessment.

Wasim Akram, the team's bowling mentor, who had accompanied him to Chennai, called Narine "a unique talent" and was hopeful of a positive result.

"Sunil went for his test on Saturday and the deliveries that the umpires were worried about were looked at," Akram wrote in his column for Times of India. According to the officials some of Sunil's deliveries to the left-handers are slightly suspect, like the offbreak, the carrom ball and the quicker one. All of his deliveries have been checked again and a report will be sent to the [BCCI suspect actions] committee which will decide his fate."

Gautam Gambhir, the Knight Riders captain, said "Most of us knew even after he was cleared in Chennai that he can again be reported again. All this can be very disturbing and unsettling for a player."